~*Rory/Jess*~

Jess' P.O.V:

I sit at the gazebo just starting at the people passing by. By saying people I mean Kirk, followed by Taylor. Taylor's bitching over something, as per usual. Kirk replies quickly. Sometimes, I'm not quite sure he's even considering the things he's about to say. Kirk turns to where Luke's at, and Tyler chases him down the street. This entire town is full of jerks. But not all of them, of course. I mean, there's Rory... who despite the environment managed to stay perfectly perfect and normal. There's Luke. He's a good guy, and he had the brains not to fall to those stupid town habits. And I guess there's Lorleai. She's not a jerk, but she is kinda mad. And I haven't decided yet if it's at a good way.

So I didn't drop by at Rory's. this is ridiculous. I mean, I like her... a lot. I think about her every second of the day. She got me feeling stuff I didn't even know existed. But she's not single. And even if she were... I don't know if I am. And if I really care about her, I should know better than to stay out of her life. I'm really bad for her. Whoever puts you in the hospital is bad for you. Whoever inspires you to cut class and bail on your mother in an important day for her is a bad influence.

That's me. The screw up. The thing is... with Audrey... she didn't notice that cuz she's not one of those goodie two shoes, either. And that's the kind of girl I need. Maybe she won't change me... but who said I need a change? Except from everybody in this town...

"Hey." I hear a familiar soft voice.

"Hi." I say before she leans in to kiss me.

"What's up?" she asks as she sits next to me, "you're looking pondered. Not a good thing."

"Says who?" I ask.

"Jess, I was talking sarcastically." She points out.

"Oh." I simply reply.

"What's going on?" she asks.

"Did we... have you told me you're coming here?" I ask all of a sudden.

"No... but I didn't know I have to book a date with you now." She replies somewhat offended.

"No, Audrey... come on, that's not what I meant. I was just surprised to see you here." I answer.

"So you were..." she answers, her eyes fixated on the floor.

"I'm glad you're here..." I say, trying to catch her eyes.

"Of course you are." She replies.

"Hey, Audrey..." I say, taking her hand. She finally looks at me, "I am glad you're here."

I lean in and kiss her. In a way she can't doubt how glad I am she's here.

"My brother's waiting at the car. We're on our way to relatives at Hartford so I thought I'd just drop by and say hi." She says when we pull away.

"I'm glad you did." I answer.

"I'll call you... when I get back." She promises and I nod.

She cups my face and kisses me deeply again.

"Bye." She says and kisses me on the cheek.

I watch her leave and sigh. I'm in a serious trouble here. On one hand... I got Rory. Who's... well, not perfect for me, but I can't get her out my mind. On the other hand... there's Audrey. Who's perfect for me... but still, I can't get another girl out of my mind.

"Friend of yours?" I hear Rory's voice from behind me.

I know she's trying to sound cold and indifferent, but fails miserably. I can hear the pain in her voice, which makes me feel even worse about myself. Great, Jess. Made her hurt again.

"No." I state and she rises an eyebrow, "not so much of a friend anymore."

"Huh." She answers, sitting at the other side of the gazebo.

We sit silently for a few minutes. I look at her, she looks at the floor. She moves her gaze to me and lowers it back to the floor.

"I don't get this. I don't get you." She says all of a sudden.

"Oh?" I ask, intrigued to find out where this is going.

"You practically tell me you're back in town for me, you kiss me, you tell me there's something... there, and..." she says and I interrupt her.

"And you don't break up with your boyfriend even though you come to New York to see me, kiss me and then confess you have some sort of feelings for me. You bring me chicken soup when I'm sick... and then you skip town for 2 months without a word!" I say angrily.

"I told you I was leaving!" she replies, annoyed as well.

"Oh yeah, in the midst of a fight without even explaining why and without showing your face afterwards. Sorry, forgot about that." I shrug sarcastically.

"Jess, this is not the time to become sarcastic on me, trust me. Especially not after kissing me today at the storage room and promising you'd stop by. What did your girlfriend say about that, by the way?" she asks cynically.

We both go silent for a few minutes again.

"Who is she?" she asks quietly, in a soft tone.

"She's Audrey." I reply.

"Is she your girlfriend?" she asks.

I go silent for awhile.

"That depends." I reply and she looks at me confused, "are you breaking up with Dean?"

The look on her face says it all.

"Then yeah, I guess she is." I say. She lowers her sight again, biting on her lower lip.

I rise from the bench and take a seat next to her. I put my hand on her knee. At first she stiffens and then she puts her hand on mine. She looks at me with bright eyes, and I can tell she's about to cry.

I lean in and kiss her softly, not pulling away so fast. She puts one hand against my cheek and deepens the kiss. The kiss grows with more passion and I pull away slowly.

"I guess... consider this as a goodbye kiss." I say quietly.

She looks at me for awhile, realizing what I've said and then taking her hand off mine, rising and walking away.